Long Beach City College to cut more programs, staff to save $2 million

LONG BEACH — Long Beach City College is planning to eliminate several instructional programs next year in an effort to cut $2 million from its budget, officials announced Thursday.

The cuts, planned for the 2013-2014 school year, could include the loss of up to 20 programs and layoffs for around 10 full-time faculty members, said LBCC President Eloy Oakley.

The college has about 200 academic programs and 308 full-time faculty.

Oakley said the latest round of reductions is part of the college's ongoing plan to remain fiscally stable in the face of severe state budget cuts. The college has seen an overall 7.4 percent reduction in state funding.

In April, the Board of Trustees approved a plan to lay off 55 employees and reduce contracts for 96 positions for a savings of more than $5 million. The reduction in staffing was one of the largest in the college's history.

While LBCC has made some difficult decisions, even tougher cuts loom on the horizon if voters fail to pass a November tax initiative designed to fund education, Oakley said.

If the tax initiative fails, the college would be forced to cut up to $8.4 million from its $96 million general fund - a move that would have a significant impact on students and programs, he said.

"This is a direct result of what's happening in Sacramento," Oakley said. "If people are frustrated now, they're going to be incredibly frustrated if the November tax initiative fails. This isn't just happening at Long Beach City College, this is happening to Cal State Long Beach, Long Beach Unified and everywhere across the state."

LBCC administrators haven't yet decided which programs will get the axe, Oakley said, adding that college officials should know more by October.

Less popular programs, such as some low-demand career technical programs, could be eliminated, he said. Others may be consolidated.

Oakley said cuts to some of the less popular programs will help the college focus its resources on the core courses needed for transfer and graduation.

The program cuts would mean layoffs for up to 10 full-time faculty.

In addition, the college is considering layoffs for a handful of management positions and classified employees, which include custodians and other non-teaching staff.

The LBCC Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the layoffs early next year.